Lauri Markkanen powered Utah out of its slump with a big night on both ends.
Markkanen scored 33 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the Jazz snapped a five-game losing streak with a 116-114 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night.
Keyonte George contributed 19 points and seven assists, Brice Sensabaugh added 14 points, and Kevin Love recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds for Utah.
Dallas was led by Cooper Flagg, who posted 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Klay Thompson came off the bench to hit six 3-pointers and score 23 points, while Anthony Davis finished with 21 points and 11 boards.
The Jazz capitalized on Dallas mistakes, scoring 25 points off 21 turnovers and dominating the paint with a 64-46 advantage.
Dallas appeared in control late after scoring on four straight possessions, capped by Max Christie’s 3-pointer that put the Mavericks ahead 107-100 with 4:39 remaining. Utah responded by locking in defensively, holding Dallas without a field goal for nearly four minutes and surging back in front.
Markkanen took over during the decisive stretch, scoring three consecutive baskets as part of a 12-0 run that gave Utah a 112-107 lead with 1:41 left. The Jazz scored on seven of their final nine possessions to close out the victory.
Utah set the tone early by relentlessly attacking the rim. The Jazz scored 24 of their 34 first-quarter points in the paint, igniting a 22-6 run and a 27-17 lead. Cody Williams sparked that stretch with three dunks over four possessions.
The Jazz pushed their lead to as many as 14 in the second quarter, going up 53-39 after Markkanen capped a 15-5 run with a dunk. Dallas rallied in the third, taking a 61-60 lead after back-to-back 3-pointers from Naji Marshall and Christie to open the half.
The Mavericks visit Chicago on Saturday, while the Jazz return home to host Charlotte.
